Denton’s data center moratorium enters next phase before possible early December adoption
The Denton City Council held its final public hearing and first reading for a proposed 90-day data center moratorium, which could be adopted in early December. Residents cited concerns about water, wastewater, electricity capacity, environmental impacts and insufficient development regulations, with some calling for a permanent ban.
The Denton City Council advanced a proposed data center moratorium with a first reading after holding its final public hearing. The measure would pause new data center development for 90 days, with an option for a second 90-day period, while officials revise development-code requirements involving siting, specific-use permits, cooling systems, water and wastewater studies, and Denton Municipal Electric’s review of data center requests.
Residents voiced opposition during the hearing, citing infrastructure limitations, environmental and noise concerns, and alleged permit violations. Mayor Pro Tem Nick Stevens, who proposed the moratorium, said the pause would give the city time to strengthen its regulations and account for possible litigation involving data center bans elsewhere in Texas. A second reading is scheduled for next month, with possible adoption in early December; two data centers are already in development in Denton, including a Core Scientific campus referenced by residents as contributing to electricity-capacity concerns.